11 Comments
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Attractive Nuisance's avatar

I found out about the iodine contrast dye allergy after an unpleasant trip to the ER a few hours after a CT scan. It’s not that common but brutal when it happens. Are there alternatives?

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David Mokotoff, MD's avatar

Yes, there are iodine-free contrast agents. You should ask your doctors about before your next “dye” examination.

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Michael Plunkett's avatar

Article very weak. Simple answer- calculate ASCVD score. If over ~10 treat cholesterol and BP, eat healthy get regular exercise

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Chris Fehr's avatar

The tests are all interesing but do they change patient treatment? Regardless of imaging you would not reat high cholesterol or blood pressure unless they actually had them and if they are over 50 or perhaps 40 and have high cholesterol or blood pressure you would treat them unless regardless of the imaging. Would the patient exersise more, eat better or stop smoking if they know these things, maybe.

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Stephen BURNHAM's avatar

I'd like to know more about the carotid artery ultrasound and how it measures plaque buildup compared to a CAC.

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Tom Welsh's avatar

Why would anyone want to know that? One of the best ways to die. If you doubt that, think of the others.

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Rick Strohm's avatar

Very clear and well written. Thank you.

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GenX1969's avatar

50-50 cancer (Mom), or heart attack (Dad). I’d opt for the faster one.

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Jo's avatar

If I had a clean ct angio and calcium score of zero at age 64, would I need one every 3 years?

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Saralyn Fosnight's avatar

I would be interested in knowing more about the cardiogram/cardioplasty thing. In 2014 I had both, one right after the other. My cardiologist put in a stent in my right coronary artery. I’ve since read that stents aren’t that much of a help. I had one blockage and that was what the stent was for. Not that I would have it removed, but I’d like to know.

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Dr Alex Kennerly Vasquez's avatar

I appreciate the article. No mention of ferritin or omega-3 index.

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